They should expect more. Republicans have no power and are no opposition to President Obama. Until they have a shred of power, of course, he’s going lord it over them. If he had more guts, he’d be able to pass more of his agenda, like gun control, or a nation wide gay marriage laws. He has no opposition.
Powers and Rice are so typical of Obama’s appointees ~ little promise, and less capacity. He’s incapable of understanding, and so are they.